Oregon’s Smokefree Workplace Law

Since 2002, the Oregon Smokefree Workplace Law has protected employees against the harmful effects of secondhand smoke by making most workplaces smokefree. In June 2007, the Oregon legislature passed a law making the Oregon Smokefree Workplace Law even stronger.
The new law will expand the number of indoor workplaces that are required to be smokefree. It will also prohibit smoking within 10 feet of entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes of workplaces and public places.
The new restrictions go into effect on January 1, 2009
Under Oregon's new Smokefree Workplace Law, smoking will be prohibited in most public places and workplaces with few exceptions. Public place means any enclosed area open to the public. Place of employment means every enclosed area under the control of a public or private employer that employees frequent during the course of employment.
Workplaces and public places that must be smokefree include but are not limited to:
* Bars and taverns, including bar areas of restaurants
* Bowling centers
* Bingo halls
* Private and fraternal organizations
* Employee break rooms
* Restaurants
* Private offices and commercial office buildings
* Retail and wholesale establishments
* Manufacturing plants and mills
* Truck stops
* Child and adult day-care
* Assisted living facilities
* Movies theaters and indoor entertainment venues
* Hotels and motels (Exception: up to 25% of guest rooms may be designated as smoking rooms by the owner or entity in charge)
* Work vehicles that are not operated exclusively by one employee

Note: Some cities and counties in Oregon passed Smokefree Workplace Laws prior to the new state law. In these jurisdictions, any standard or requirement stricter than the state law will apply. If you are an employer, employee or member of any of these communities, please contact your local county tobacco prevention coordinator for information on applicable workplace rules and regulations.

OTHER OREGONIANS ARE QUITTING.... SO CAN YOU!!!

Recently (Feb. 2, 2008) the Oregonian Metro page header reported “More Oregon Smokers Cut Back, Quit”.  It was reported by state health officials that smoking by Oregonians has declined sharply the past decade, falling 41 percent from 1996 to 2006.
The article goes on to state that prevention efforts are linked to the decline. For the latest report go to www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/tobacco/docs/factso7.pdf.

When You Stop Smoking, You Come Out The Winner!!

• 20 minutes: Blood pressure drops to normal pulse rate drops to normal temperature of hands and feet return to normal
• 8 hours: carbon monoxide levels in blood stream drop by half; oxygen levels return to normal
• 24 hours: chance of heart attack decreases
• 48 hours: All nicotine will have left your body sense of taste and smell will return to normal
• 72 hours: bronchial tubes will relax energy levels will increase
• 2 weeks: circulation will improve and will continue to improve for the next 10 weeks
• 1 – 9 mos: coughs, wheezing and breathing problems will dissipate; lung capacity improves up to 30%
• 1 year: risk of heart attack drops by half
• 5 years: risk of stroke returns to that of a non-smoker
• 7-10 years: your body restored; but most of the healing takes place within 9 mos from when you stop smoking.

Smoking just one cigarette a day loses all these benefits!